Reports confirm that the Turkish government detained another group of 35 people active in media groups. They are accused with having had links to last year’s failed coup.

According to Anadolu news agency, the detained were arrested for using a messaging app that was used by Fethullah Gulen, the opposition leader who resides abroad. The government recurrently accused Gulen to have had main role in plotting the coup. Mr. Gulen strongly rejected the allegation saying he would never use military forces against the government.

Bylock messaging app have turned to an excuse for the government to arrest thousands of people in Turkey. The authorities say the app was used by Gulen supporters to coordinate actions ahead of the plot.

The latest arrests come amid growing alarm over press freedom in Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in particular under the state of emergency imposed in the wake of the failed July 2016 coup and which remains in place.

Former columnist for the Turkiye daily Ahmet Sagirli and the current website editor at the leftist opposition Birgun daily Burak Ekici are reported to be among the detainees. The media in Turkey has turned to only a ground for advertising Erdogan and his policies.

Turkey ranks 155 on the latest Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders) world press freedom index. Belarus and the Democratic Republic of Congo are ranked before Turkey in the list.

At least 164 journalists have been jailed and many more under detention for months after the coup, according to the latest figures from the P24 press freedom website. The emergency state in Turkey is extended for long months to let the government exert more pressure on various groups.

Last month, the Cumhuriyet daily had 17 of its staff trialed for alleged aiding “terror” groups. Cumhuriyet daily is among the rare media in Turkey which kept its critical stance against Erdogan and his oppressive government.